ICSD budget denied, Tompkins County tax handling changes, Corning Glassfest, weekend plans

Good morning ☀️

It’s Thursday, so I’ll be helping you plan your weekend in Tompkins County again later on in this newsletter.

If someone forwarded this to you , click the sign-up link here for more updates , and don’t forget to spread the word to anyone else who might enjoy giving it a read.

Without further ado, here’s an update on the Ithaca City School District budget.

ICSD budget denied by Ithaca taxpayers

Ithaca taxpayers overwhelmingly rejected the Ithaca City School District’s budget plan for the 2024-2025 academic year at the polls Tuesday, forcing the district to resubmit a proposal.

The budget was rejected by 70% of the voters, 4,916 to 2,058, according to preliminary results from Tuesday's vote, and showed strong opposition to the district's plan to exceed New York's tax levy limit. The district's proposed 8.42% tax levy increase would have required a 60% supermajority vote.

Tuesday's vote also decided which three candidates will fill the school board’s open seats. The three leading candidates were Emily Workman, with 4,393 votes, Dr. Adam Krantweiss (3,953) and Todd Fox (2,805).

Learn more about the Tuesday vote and election results in this article .

Here’s some more of what you need to know today

Tompkins County changing tax bill handling: Changes could include reducing the frequency of property value reassessments from the current yearly cycle to a triennial system , The Ithaca Voice reports .

More than 44 million people will take to NY roads this weekend: The American Automobile Association is projecting nearly 44 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Memorial Day holiday travel period. This article breaks down the best (and worst) times to travel this weekend.

Corning Glassfest 2024 in Gaffer District this weekend: 10 streets will be closed this weekend in the city of Corning for its yearly glass celebration. Get the details here .

Plan out your weekend with reading, a roller derby, or rock n’ roll

🎸Rock band powerhouse vocalist Maddy Walsh and The Blind Spots will be at South Hill Cider for its Golden Hour Music Series this Friday . Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with opener “The Bigness” starting their set at 5:30 p.m.

⛸️Ithaca Roller Derby will host Ithaca’s own Bluestockings, facing off with the Low-Rolling Deuces this Saturday at the Itaca Mall, near Target and Michaels. If you’ve got a need for speed, you may want to cheer these local ladies on .

💀The Whimsy Mercantile in Lansing is hosting a death café, “where people get together in a relaxing atmosphere, such as a café, and talk openly about their feelings and experiences with death.” If you’re feeling macabre, or just like to process grief with reading, join the Rest in Pages Book Club Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m . at 2075 East Shore Drive in Lansing.

That’s about all I’ve got for you today.

Thanks for sticking with me and please reach out to jmack@gannett.com with any comments, questions, or concerns about this newsletter, or news tips in the Tompkins County area.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: ICSD budget denied, Tompkins County tax handling changes, Corning Glassfest, weekend plans